How will CFCs interact with solar radiation in the troposphere?

Because they are extremely stable molecules, CFCs do not react easily with other chemicals in the lower atmosphere. One of the few forces that can break up CFC molecules is ultraviolet radiation. In the lower atmosphere, CFCs are protected from ultraviolet radiation by the ozone layer itself.

How will CFCs interact with solar radiation?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and halons destroy the earth's protective ozone layer, which shields the earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV-B) rays generated from the sun.

Are CFCs reactive in the troposphere?

CFCs do not react easily with other chemicals in the lower atmosphere (troposphere). But UV light can break up a CFC, making it highly reactive. In the lower atmosphere, CFCs are protected from UV light from the ozone layer in the stratosphere.

Why are CFCs not broken down in the troposphere?

These CFCs are not soluble in water, so deposition does not removed them from the air. "The only other mechanism that removes compounds from the troposphere is reaction with an abundant oxidizing agent--such as hydroxyl radicals, ozone, or nitrate radicals.

What happens when CFCs are released into the atmosphere?

Once in the atmosphere, CFCs drift slowly upward to the stratosphere, where they are broken up by ultraviolet radiation, releasing chlorine atoms, which are able to destroy ozone molecules. The seasons have an impact on the Antarctic ozone hole.

Solar Radiation

How long do CFCs stay in the troposphere?

The environmental concern for CFCs follows from their long atmospheric lifetime (55 years for CFC-11 and 140 years for CFC-12, CCl₂F₂)⁹ which limits our ability to reduce their abundance in the atmosphere and associated future ozone loss.

What do CFCs react with?

CFCs do not easily react with other substances. In fact, they break up only through sunlight, which divides their molecules, causing the release of chlorine (Cl). Once the chlorine is released, it is able to react with ozone (O3), to form chlorine monoxide (ClO) and oxygen (O2).

How does CFCs destroy the ozone layer?

An example is CFC-12 (CCI2F2), used as a refrigerant in refrigerators and air conditioners and as a foam blowing agent. Gaseous CFCs can deplete the ozone layer when they slowly rise into the stratosphere, are broken down by strong ultraviolet radiation, release chlorine atoms, and then react with ozone molecules.

Why do CFCs reach the stratosphere?

Gases such as CFCs that do not dissolve in water and that are relatively unreactive in the lower atmosphere are mixed relatively quickly and therefore reach the stratosphere regardless of their weight.

How do chlorofluorocarbons affect Earth's ozone layer?

Answer: When UV radiation hits a CFC molecule it causes one chlorine atom to break away. The chlorine atom then hits an ozone molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms and takes one of the oxygen molecules, destroying the ozone molecule and turning it into oxygen.

Do CFCs usually react readily with?

CFCs are made up of carbon, fluorine, and cesium. CFCs usually react readily with other chemicals. CFCs were developed as replacements for toxic refrigerants.

Do CFCs absorb IR radiation?

They include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are man-made gases commonly used in refrigerators and air conditioners. Concentrations of CFC gases in the atmosphere are the highest of any of the halocarbons, and they can absorb more infrared radiation than any other greenhouse gas.

What characteristics make it easy for CFCs to reach the stratosphere and how do they get there?

CFCs are chemically very stable; they: do not dissolve or breakdown in water (so they are not removed by rain). Because of this chemical stability, CFCs are able to reach the stratosphere.

What happens to CFCs when exposed to intense UV light?

CFCs can only be destroyed by extremely energetic ultraviolet radiation, such as is found above most of the ozone layer. CFCs are broken down by UV photolysis, but the process takes a long time since it takes decades to cycle all of the air in the troposphere through the upper stratosphere.

How long does it take for CFCs to reach the stratosphere?

In fact, it can take a CFC molecule about 2 years after being released at the ground to make it to the stratosphere where the ozone is. And it can take decades for it to be converted by sunlight into a form that is harmful to ozone, according to Dr.

What is the strongest evidence that CFCs are in the stratosphere?

Reduce marine life. And increased ground level ozone. What is the strongest evidence that CFCs are in the stratosphere? Measurements of CFCs in air samples from the stratosphere.

Why do CFCs remain in the atmosphere for how many years?

Chlorofluoromethanes are being added to the environment in steadily increasing amounts. These compounds are chemically inert and may remain in the atmosphere for 40-150 years, and concentrations can be expected to reach 10 to 30 times present levels.

How do CFCs cause ozone depletion quizlet?

how does Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's)affect ozone depletion? , CFCs drift slowly upward to the stratosphere, where they are broken up by ultraviolet radiation, releasing the chlorine that catalytically destroys ozone.

What causes tropospheric ozone?

Tropospheric, or ground level ozone, is not emitted directly into the air, but is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC).

How do chlorofluorocarbons contribute to ozone depletion Brainly?

When ultraviolet light waves (UV) strike CFC* (CFCl3) molecules in the upper atmosphere, a carbon-chlorine bond breaks, producing a chlorine (Cl) atom. The chlorine atom then reacts with an ozone (O3) molecule breaking it apart and so destroying the ozone.

How do CFCs get into the atmosphere?

The most common source of CFCs are refrigerants, but fire suppression systems for aircraft and aerosols also emit CFCs into the atmosphere.

How long do chlorofluorocarbons CFC stay in the sky?

HCFC-22 (CHClF₂) has an atmospheric lifetime of about 12 years compared to 100 years for CFC-12 and has been used in low-demand home air-conditioning and some refrigeration applications since 1975. However, HCFCs still contain chlorine, so they destroy stratospheric ozone.

What characteristics of CFCs make them more likely to reach the stratosphere than most other compounds containing chlorine?

What characteristics of CFCs make them more likely than most other chlorine compounds to reach the stratosphere? CFCs neither dissolve in water nor break down into compounds that dissolve in water, so they do not rain out of the atmosphere.

How can you minimize the dispersal of CFCs in the atmosphere?

Buy air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment that do not use HCFCs as refrigerant. Buy aerosol products that do not use HCFCs or CFCs as propellants. Conduct regular inspection and maintenance of air-conditioning and refrigeration appliances to prevent and minimize refrigerant leakage.

Are CFCs still found in the atmosphere?

CFC-11 survives in the atmosphere for about 50 years, so, if sources were completely eliminated, global emissions should decline by around 2% annually. But the actual rate is slower, owing to continued emissions of the chemical from old refrigeration systems and from insulating foam when buildings are demolished.